In this short window into the ministry of Paul, we find three key commitments necessary for our own ministry to be effective as well.
A Christ-Centered, Bible-Believing Fellowship
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
In this short window into the ministry of Paul, we find three key commitments necessary for our own ministry to be effective as well.
God hates the selfishness that is expressed in ambition, a desire for recognition and preferential treatment by others, and in greed. Many of the scribes manifested these sins.
From the account of Manasseh, we find a clear example of pride, the sobering consequences of pride, and the gracious remedy to pride.
How do we maintain unity in the church when we all don't have the same preferences and convictions on many issues? This passage gives us the first of three keys for developing and guarding the unity that God expects of us.
By cursing a fig tree that bore no fruit, Jesus acts out a parable that depicts God's hatred of empty religious profession when in reality there is spiritual barrenness.
The world has a definition of "greatness." Jesus explains to His disciples that it has a totally different definition in the kingdom of God.
We must guard ourselves against the danger of independence -- an individualism that is focused only on our personal relationship with Christ at the expense of ministry in the body.
The world aggressively seeks to spread its agenda of self-love and self-esteem. And our flesh likes that. But Scripture nowhere teaches that we need to love ourselves. In fact, it teaches that we should stop our natural propensity to think more highly of ourselves than we ought.
To illustrate the principle that Israel's rejection is temporary and not permanent, Paul draws upon the Old Testament offering of "first fruits" and the imagery of grafting branches onto olive trees. God's version of horticulture, however, is totally different than man's.
The real reason for unbelief is not that people haven't heard or don't understand the gospel -- they hate that the gospel is a message centered on grace. So their unbelief is actually obstinate disobedience.
Jonah rebelled against God, and became a worshiper of self. When a person worships self, he will not demonstrate compassion to others. There are ten characteristics of Jonah that evidenced his worship of self and prevented him from mirroring God's compassion.
On the Day of Atonement, the book of Jonah would be read and the Hebrews would reply, "We are Jonah." When it comes to bringing the gospel to the nations today, we are Jonah. We have been called by God and commissioned by Christ to "arise, go, and preach." However, we are often discriminatory, self-centered, prideful, and not compassionate to the same people that God seeks to extend compassion.
After encouraging his readers with the reality that their sins have been forgiven, that they know the Father, that they enjoy an intimate relationship with Christ, and that they have overcome the evil one, the Apostle John provides a stern warning against one of the greatest dangers to a Christian’s walk with Christ—the attitude of worldliness.
The Beatitudes paint a character portrait of the true believer. The biblical description of meekness is discussed, challenging the believer to grow in such defining areas as humility, obedience to and trust in God, teachability, and peaceable relationships.
The real reason for conflicts in relationships is discussed -- along with the biblical solution. A slide presentation is utilized.
By looking at Psalms and Provers, we can gain a deeper insight into the heart of a fool, why only God's intervention can break him, and how we can deal with him.
Solomon has spent some time sharing what the wise person looks like. But now he doesn't shy away from discussing the negative side, of what not to do. He gives us a snapshot of a fool and how his folly is manifest in four ways.
Solomon introduces the subject of wisdom in the midst of this "life under the sun" reality. He first gives us some examples of wisdom, followed by its benefits.
Solomon turns his attention towards the subject of companionship. He gives us three scenes that seem to threaten the beauty of God's plan, but also scenes that explore why companionship is such a blessing.
Since God alone deserves honor and glory, He requires exclusive loyalty from His subjects. That loyalty is expressed in our worship first of all. There are at least five dangers to avoid so that we don't provoke God's jealousy.
Like cancer in a human body, disunity can destroy the church body. Paul identifies the causes of disunity and some things we can do to prevent it.
As Paul is in the process of admonishing the Philippians to pursue after Christlikeness, he issues a warning to them, for destruction awaits those who follow enemies of the cross.
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